Page 28 of The Viper
Finally, Franklin called wrap. Crew scattered, laughter rising like steam. I stepped off the dock, barefoot, shoes dangling from one hand. My feet ached, my skin glowed, and I felt alive for the first time in a long time.
Carrie appeared with a towel and a knowing smirk. “You look like you enjoyed yourself.”
“Maybe I did.”
“Even with the new shadow?”
I glanced toward Lucas. He stood near the trailers, silhouetted against the dying light. He was impossible to ignore.
“Especially with the new shadow,” I said before I could stop myself.
Carrie laughed softly. “Careful. Hannah will have a coronary if you start flirting with your protection detail.”
“She already had one this morning,” I said. “What’s another?”
“Lexi—”
“I’m kidding,” I said, mostly.
But when Lucas’s head turned and our eyes met again, something in my chest fluttered like it didn’t know better.
I found myself near him as crew packed up equipment. He was checking his earpiece, professional as ever, but his voice dropped when he spoke to me.
“You handled yourself well today.”
“That your professional opinion?”
His mouth curved slightly. “Personal observation.”
“Careful,” I said softly. “You might ruin your reputation for stoicism.”
He didn’t smile, but I saw it—the faintest flicker in his eyes. “You think I’m stoic?”
“I think you’re a mystery.”
“Those are dangerous,” he said.
“So am I.”
That earned the smallest tilt of his head. Respect, maybe. Or warning. “I’ll keep that in mind.”
Noah approached then, breaking whatever fragile line had stretched between us. “Nice work today,” he said to me. Then, turning to Lucas: “We got the word. Twenty-four-hour coverage.”
Lucas nodded once. “Understood.”
The words shouldn’t have thrilled me, but they did.
Noah glanced between us, as if catching something he couldn’t quite name. “Try to keep it smooth. Less press attention, the better.” Then he was gone, already talking into his comm.
I looked at Lucas. “So you’ll be following me home?”
He met my gaze without flinching. “Correction. I’m driving you home.”
“Do I get a say in that?”
“No,” he replied, matter-of-fact.
The corner of my mouth lifted. “Good. I was going to say yes, anyway.”
